Is an Engagement Session Necessary?

If you didn’t already know this, I include engagement sessions in all of my collections. I include them complimentary for a few reasons. I really enjoy engagement sessions with my couples. This really helps me to get to know who you are together without the the chaos of the wedding day. And as much as I am learning about you, you are learning about me as well.
Imagine not knowing someone that spends your entire wedding day with you. Crazy right? Wedding photographers are with you for anywhere from 8-12 hours on the most important day of your life. A day full of emotions, and so many personal moments. I can’t imagine spending that much time with someone I didn’t know.
That’s where the engagement session comes in. We will spend anywhere from one to two hours all together in a beautiful location. I will talk about myself, and I will listen to you and all of your stories. I will ask A LOT of questions about you. Part of the reason my sessions last so long, is so that I can ask these questions and really get to know how you interact with each other. It’s one of my favorite parts of our entire experience together.
Choosing a location can sometimes seem difficult, but we will work together to choose a location that works for all of us. I like outdoor locations the most but I am happy to work with whatever you have in mind.
I am moving toward having your engagement session on a weekday night so that weekends are available for weddings without having to reschedule your engagement session. We will usually meet up a few hours before sunset so that I can get that warm glowy light!
Sometimes my couples will bring along a four legged friend for some family photos. I love getting to pet and love on these sweet pups! For sessions with pets, I recommend a park without a lot of other pets nearby. We are usually able take shots with your pet at the beginning of the session so that family or friends can meet up and help by taking them home so you don’t have to stress about them running away or being stuck in a hot car for too long.
I hope that this helps to explain why I so strongly encourage my couples to have an engagement session and why they are included in my collections.